Gullak Season 5: Jameel Khan on playing Santosh Mishra with inclusivity and heart
Synopsis
Five seasons in, Jameel Khan says Santosh Mishra is not just a character — he is a value system. Drawing from his father and a personal belief that good must outweigh evil on screen, Khan's approach to 'Gullak' is a quiet argument for why warmth and restraint still matter in Indian storytelling.
Key Takeaways
Jameel Khan stars as Santosh Mishra in Gullak Season 5 , now streaming on Sony LIV .
Khan says he draws inspiration from his father to shape the character's values and emotional depth.
The actor's personal philosophy — inclusivity, sensitivity, and love — directly informs how he portrays Santosh Mishra.
Khan views the family as a microcosm of society and believes storytelling should reinforce positive values over negative ones.
Season 5 sees Mishra Nivas navigate modern changes — new Wi-Fi, a fresh coat of paint — while retaining its emotional core.
Actor Jameel Khan is drawing widespread appreciation for his performance in the recently released Season 5 of the beloved family drama 'Gullak', available on Sony LIV. The actor, who has portrayed Santosh Mishra across all five seasons, says his approach to the character — and to life — is rooted in inclusivity, sensitivity, and love.
The Man Behind Santosh Mishra
Speaking during the promotional circuit for the new season alongside co-stars Helly Shah, Anant Joshi, and Harsh Mayar, Khan revealed that his father has been a significant source of inspiration for the role. 'I am very much inspired by my father with this character. And I try to express a lot of things from my own life in Santosh Mishra,' he said.
Khan added that writing plays a key role in how he channels that inspiration. 'My way of thinking, my view of life is of inclusivity, sensitivity and love. So, in my life and in the same way in Santosh Mishra, I don't want to see a negative emotion or a negative behavior. I don't want Jameel Khan to do something for Santosh Mishra which could have a negative effect on the society,' he said.
A Philosophy Rooted in the Family Unit
Khan's outlook extends well beyond the screen. He views the family as a microcosm of the world at large — a lens through which broader social values are shaped and transmitted. 'The good things are decreasing, and the bad things are increasing in society. So, it is easy to show the bad things. Good over evil has always been our norm, and we should focus more on that,' he said.
He elaborated: 'I see the family as a microcosm. If we go to a global level, the family becomes the society, the neighborhood becomes the city, and then the whole world. I see life through that lens.' It is a philosophy that has clearly found an audience, given the enduring popularity of 'Gullak' over five seasons.
What Season 5 Brings to Mishra Nivas
The new season returns with the warmth, chaos, humour, and emotional depth that have made 'Gullak' a touchstone of Indian middle-class storytelling. Mishra Nivas this season gets a fresh coat of paint, a new Wi-Fi connection, and a family navigating the pressures of a rapidly changing world — while the intimate, timeless moments within the household remain at the show's core.
The show continues to resonate because it holds a mirror to everyday Indian family life without resorting to melodrama or caricature — a balance that Khan's portrayal of the earnest, warm-hearted Santosh Mishra has anchored from the very first season.
Streaming Details
'Gullak' Season 5 is currently streaming on Sony LIV.
Point of View
'Gullak' and Jameel Khan's Santosh Mishra represent a deliberate counter-current. Khan's insistence on keeping the character free of negative social influence is not naivety — it is a creative and commercial bet that audiences still hunger for warmth. Five seasons of sustained viewership suggest he is right. The deeper question is whether Indian streaming will draw the lesson or continue to treat darkness as the default marker of 'serious' content.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Jameel Khan play in Gullak Season 5?
Jameel Khan plays Santosh Mishra , the patriarch of the Mishra family, a role he has reprised across all five seasons of 'Gullak'. The character is inspired in part by Khan's own father.
Where can I watch Gullak Season 5?
Gullak Season 5 is currently available to stream on Sony LIV .
What is Jameel Khan's philosophy behind playing Santosh Mishra?
Khan says his approach is grounded in inclusivity, sensitivity, and love. He consciously avoids portraying negative emotions or behaviour through the character, believing that storytelling should reinforce positive values in society.
What happens in Gullak Season 5?
Season 5 sees the Mishra Nivas household get a fresh coat of paint and a new Wi-Fi connection as the family tries to keep pace with changing times. The season retains the warmth, humour, and everyday chaos that have defined the show across previous seasons.
Who are the other cast members in Gullak Season 5?
The new season features Helly Shah , Anant Joshi , and Harsh Mayar alongside Jameel Khan, all of whom participated in the promotional activities for the show.
